The Lab System and Capacity Building Lead Executive is responsible for overseeing and managing the laboratory operations and capacity building activities within the AHI. Its major roles and responsibilities include:

Ensure implementation and sustenance of Laboratory Management System

• manage and coordinate laboratory activities. This includes ensuring the availability of necessary resources like diagnostic supplies, equipment and personnel for efficient laboratory operations.
• ensure proper implementation of QMS as per ISO 17025:2017 standards to ensure provision of accurate, reliable and timely test reports to the customers.
• ensure sustainability of test method accreditation through coordination and assessment of series of activities conducted in the laboratories like validating of methods, internal audits, implementing corrective and preventing actions, evaluation of personnel competencies, proficiency test and or inter-laboratory comparison tests and scheduling of calibration programs for testing and measuring equipment.
• support the implementation of QMS in regional veterinary laboratories through organizing inter-laboratory comparison test, equipment calibration and maintenance, document review and follow up assessment.

Coordinate Capacity Building

• Identify skill gaps and organize training programs for laboratory personnel working in AHI, RVLs, animal health extension workers, and livestock owners. These training programs aim to enhance and strengthen the technical skills, knowledge and attitude of personnel working in veterinary service. The trainings mainly focus on laboratory techniques, QMS, and biorisk management system.
• Assess gaps of RVLs and seek resources to fulfil lacking inputs and equipment. This may include develop and share appropriate specification for the procurement of diagnostic inputs and equipment and provision of technical support on equipment maintenance and installation.
• Ensure implementation of biorisk management system in AHI and RVLs. In this regards it conduct gap assessments, provide awareness creation training, conduct risk assessment and implement appropriate mitigation measures, and work towards accreditation as per ISO 35001 standard.

Provide Consultancy and Advisory Services

• Coordinate graduate and post graduate students who are attached to AHI to conduct their research.
• Consult customers who implement QMS and Biorisk management system at national and regional level.
• organize and facilitate educational visits for researchers and students from universities and research institutes. These visits provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, hands-on learning, and collaboration in the field of animal health.

Laboratory Information Management System

Laboratory information management system (LIMS) helps to produce rapid, reliable, and traceable test results for diagnostic laboratories. This is greatly enhanced through the use of laboratory software called “Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)” or SILAB (an Italian acronym for “Sistema for Laboratoria’’ and has the same meaning as LIMS. AHI has implemented this system since 2018.